A Norwegian court has once again denied a request for parole from Anders Behring Breivik, the individual responsible for the mass murder of 77 people in a horrific bombing and shooting incident in 2011.
The parole hearing took place last month at the Ringerike, Asker and Bærum district court for the 45-year-old extremist, who is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence. In a written statement issued on Wednesday, the court emphasized that Breivik’s continued incarceration is vital for public safety.
While the court acknowledged that Breivik had engaged in certain rehabilitative programs, it concluded that his progress remained insufficient to significantly alter evaluations regarding the risk of him committing further crimes.
Breivik was found guilty in 2012 of mass murder and terrorism after a bombing that claimed the lives of eight individuals at a government facility in Oslo, followed by a shooting spree on the island of Utøya where he killed 69 attendees at a political youth camp associated with the center-left Labor Party.
The recent hearing took place in a temporary courtroom set up within the gymnasium of Ringerike prison, which is located near Oslo and had previously hosted a similar hearing in January 2022.
Norwegian authorities maintain that Breivik is entitled to the same rights as other inmates, insisting that treating him any differently would compromise the foundational principles of Norwegian society, including respect for the rule of law and freedom of expression.
Since the start of his incarceration in 2012, Breivik has been held in solitary confinement and has repeatedly claimed that his treatment constitutes cruel and inhumane punishment, violating the European Convention on Human Rights. However, each of his appeals has been dismissed by the courts.
At Ringerike prison, Breivik resides in a two-story facility that features a kitchen, dining area, and a lounge equipped with an Xbox, various armchairs, and black-and-white photographs of the Eiffel Tower. He also has access to a fitness room containing weights, a treadmill, and a rowing machine.
